Panoramic camera mount

ABSTRACT

A panoramic device includes a base member and a clamp member rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.14/450,124, filed Aug. 1, 2014, which application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/569,055, filed Aug. 7, 2012, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,827,576, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/293,648, filed Nov. 10, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,262,299 B2, which is a continuation of U.S. patent appilcation Ser.No. 12/655,419, filed Dec. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,203 B2,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/327,265,filed Jan. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,556, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/642,045, filed Jan. 7, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a camera mount, and inparticular to a camera mount suitable for taking panoramic pictures.

Aberrations and distortions occur at the edge regions of a wide-angleview of a landscape. Taking and assembling together multiple imagesacross the view results in a panoramic that is larger than is generallyavailable using a single shot picture. Properly aligning film strips ordigital images to produce a panoramic picture can be a difficult task.This task is especially difficult if the camera is not properly centeredon a rotatable mount.

A panoramic camera is disclosed in Gasso et al., U.S. Pat. No.2,111,854, that includes an adjustable lens to vary the focal length ofthe lenses in mathematical proportions to the varying distances ofobjects in the panoramic view.

Campbell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,810 disclose a motor-drivenpanoramic camera having automatic means for stopping the angular sweepof the camera and adjustments for changing the angle of sweep and formaking the sweep symmetrical or unsymmetrical.

Blankenhorn, U.S. Pat. No. 1,282,177, discloses a system for makingpanoramic pictures comprising marking the film as the film is advancedand the camera rotated.

A camera mount useful for taking stereoscopic or panoramic pictures isdisclosed by lanuzzi in U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,700.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly drawing of a panning clamp.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view along line C-C of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an assembled panning clamp of FIG.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an assembled panning clamp of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of an assembled panning clamp of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pictorial view of an assembled panning clamp ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a panning assembly in a first position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a panning assembly in a second position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a panning assembly in a third position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a panning assembly in a fourth position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a panning assembly in a fifth position.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bracket.

FIG. 13 illustrates a panning assembly in a sixth position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a panning assembly in a seventh position.

FIG. 15 illustrates a panning assembly in a disassembled arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For a vertical column of overlapping images, a panning clamp should havea vertical orientation. One technique to achieve this orientation is tomount a panning clamp on top of a tripod head or otherwise directly to atripod. To more effectively use the panning clamp, the camera and lensshould be mounted so that the camera and lens pivot around the nodalpoint or the entrance pupil. In most cases, this involves the camera andlens being backed off from the typical tripod mounting point so that theentrance pupil is located at the pivot point.

Referring to FIG. 1, a panning clamp 10 includes a clamp body 12 and aclamp jaw 14. The clamp jaw 14 is engaged with the body 12 by a pair ofclamp springs 34. The springs 34 exert an outwardly directed force onthe clamp jaw 14. The clamp jaw 14 is secured in place by thecombination of a clamp screw 16, a clamp sleeve 28 surrounding the clampscrew 16, a clamp knob 18, and a screw 32. The clamp sleeve 28 sets thespacing for the clamp knob 18 and presses against the exterior of theclamp jaw 14. As the clamp knob 18 is released the clamp jaw 14 will bepressed outwardly thereby opening the clamp and keeping the clamp jaw 14in tension to maintain it in a suitable position. As the clamp knob 18is tightened, the clamp jaw 14 will be pressed inwardly thereby closingthe clamp and securing any plate or other imaging equipment (e.g.,camera, video camera, etc.) therein. A plug 22 may be secured over theopening in the body 12. A plastic cover 38 may be secured over the endof the clamp knob 18.

In order to ensure that the top surface of the panning clamp 10 islevel, a bubble level 36 may be included. The top of the bubble level 36is preferably approximately flush with the upper surface of the panningclamp 10. With the panning clamp 10 attached to a support, such as aball head, the panning clamp 10 is brought into a level position so thatupon rotation an accurate set of panoramic images may be obtained.

A panning base 20 includes a recess therein into which supports acinching ring 26. The cinching ring 26 may be secured to the panningbase 20 by securing pins through a pair of openings 50 in the cinchingring 26 and a matching pair of openings 52 in the panning base 20. Acinching knob 30 attached to a stud 42 is engaged with a threaded gap 45in the cinching ring 26. A retaining member 24 is secured to the plug 22in such a manner to maintain the panning base and the body 12 togetherwith the desired ability to freely rotate.

Referring also to FIG. 2, which is a section along line C-C of FIG. 3,the cinching ring 26 surrounds a lower portion 54 of the clamp body 14.When the user desires to permit free rotational motion of the clamp body12 with respect to the panning base 20, the cinching knob 30 isreleased, which releases the cinching ring 26. When the user desires toinhibit free rotational motion of the clamp body 12 with respect to thepanning base 20, the cinching knob 30 is tightened, which decreases thediameter of the cinching ring 26. The decreased diameter of the cinchingring 26 results in significant frictional engagement between thecinching ring 26 and the lower portion 54 of the clamp body 12. Thecinching ring 26 and the lower portion 54 preferably have matingsurfaces along 50% or more, 75% or more, or 90% or more of thecircumference of the surfaces. This results in selective rotationalmovement of the panning clamp 10.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view with the clamp jaw 14 extended by thesprings 34. With the clamp jaw 14 retracted, a plate or other member maybe readily inserted within the panning clamp 10. With the clamp jaw 14engaged, the plate or other member is securely held in place within thepanning clamp 10. FIG. 5 illustrates the base of the panning clamp 10with a pair of threaded openings 70 and 72 suitable for securing thepanning clamp 10 to a plate or other member. Also, the central opening74 may be used to secure the panning clamp 10 to a plate or othermember. FIG. 6 illustrates a pictorial view of an assembled panningclamp 10.

The panning clamp 10 itself preferably only includes the ability forrotational movement, and not the ability to rotate, in order to ensureaccurate panning. It is to be understood that the rotational movementpreferably has some reasonable amount of friction at all times so thatthe panning clamp 10 does not rotate without some reasonable pressurebeing exerted. In this manner, even without the panning function beinglocked the panning clamp 10 will not tend to rotate without the user=sturning of the clamp body 14. In addition, the panning clamp 10 shouldhave a height that is less than 50% of the diameter of the panning clamp10.

Referring to FIG. 7, a camera 110 may be supported by the panning clamp10. The panning clamp 10 permits selective rotational movement of thecamera 110. The panning claim 10 is supported by a bracket 100. Thebracket 100 is supported at a 90 degree (or substantially 90 degrees)angle with respect to a bracket 104 by an AL@ shaped bracket 102. Thebracket 104 is detachable engageable to a clamp 106 supported by a ballhead 108. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate other orientations for thecamera 110.

Referring to FIG. 12, the bracket 100 may include a clamp mechanism 125at one end thereof along with a notch 127 along both of its sides. Othertypes of brackets may likewise be used, as desired. Referring to FIG.13, the camera, bracket, and panning clamp illustrate the properpositioning of the camera in a vertical position with respect to axis ofrotation of the panning clamp. Referring to FIG. 14, the camera,bracket, and panning clamp illustrate the proper positioning of thecamera in a horizontal position with respect to axis of rotation of thepanning clamp. Referring to FIG. 15, a compact assembly may include apair of brackets 100, 104, an AL@ shaped bracket 102, and a panningclamp 10, all arranged in a stacked manner so that they are readilystored in a rectangular pouch 133.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of theinvention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

I claim:
 1. A panoramic device comprising: (a) a base having a lowersurface suitable for supporting said base; (b) a first clamp membersecured for rotation to said base and comprising a first clamp surfacerotatable about a single axis substantially normal to said lowersurface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of saidfirst clamp surface being rotatable about an axis other than said singleaxis substantially normal to said lower surface; (c) a second clampmember slidably secured to said first clamp member and movable byrotation of a first adjustment structure to approach said first clampsurface to clamp an article therebetween and movable by reversingrotation of said first adjustment structure to separate from said firstclamp surface to release an article clamped between said first clampsurface and said second clamp member; and (d) a second adjustmentstructure to selectively impede relative rotation of said first clampmember and said base, said first clamp member and said second clampmember not releasable from said base by movement of said secondadjustment structure, said first clamp member and said second clampmember not readily detachable from said base, said first clamp memberrotatable through 360 degrees with respect to said base.
 2. Thepanoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a bias mechanism thatbiases said second clamp member away from said first clamp surface. 3.The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said bias mechanism includes atleast one spring.
 4. The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said biasmechanism includes at least two springs.
 5. The panoramic device ofclaim 1 wherein said first adjustment structure is in engagement withsaid first clamp member.
 6. The panoramic device of claim 5 wherein saidfirst adjustment structure passes through a portion of said second clampmember.
 7. The panoramic device of claim 6 further comprising a sleevesurrounding a portion of said first adjustment structure.
 8. Thepanoramic device of claim 1 further comprising said first adjustmentstructure including a knob.
 9. The panoramic device of claim 1 furthercomprising a level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramicdevice.
 10. The panoramic device of claim 9 wherein said level bubble isapproximately flush with the upper surface of said panoramic device. 11.The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second adjustment structureis in engagement with said base.
 12. The panoramic device of claim 11wherein said second adjustment structure includes a knob.
 13. Thepanoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second adjustment structureimpedes said relative rotation by rotating said second adjustmentstructure.
 14. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said clampsurface includes a plurality of different elevations.
 15. The panoramicdevice of claim 1 wherein said base defines a circular peripheral edge.16. The panoramic device of claim 15 wherein said base defines acircular exterior surface.
 17. The panoramic device of claim 16 whereinsaid base defines an opening in the center of said lower surface of saidbase.
 18. The panoramic device of claim 17 wherein said lower surface issupported by a tripod.
 19. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein firstclamp member defines a circular peripheral edge.
 20. The panoramicdevice of claim 19 wherein said first clamp member defines a circularexterior surface.
 21. The panoramic device of claim 20 wherein saidfirst clamp member defines an opening in the center of said first clampmember.
 22. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said base defines afirst circular exterior surface and said first clamp member defines asecond circular exterior surface, and said first circular exteriorsurface is aligned with said second exterior surface.
 23. A panoramicdevice comprising: (a) a base having a lower first surface suitable forsupporting said base; (b) a first clamp member secured for rotation tosaid base and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a singleaxis substantially normal to said lower first surface, said panoramicdevice being free from and incapable of said first clamp surface beingsaid rotatable about an axis other than said single axis substantiallynormal to said lower surface; (c) a second clamp member slidably securedto said first clamp member and movable by rotation of a first adjustmentstructure to approach said first clamp surface to clamp an articletherebetween and movable by reversing rotation of said first adjustmentstructure to separate from said first clamp surface to release anarticle clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clampmember; and (d) a movable member located within an outer periphery ofsaid panoramic device to selectively impede relative rotation of saidbase and said first clamp member, and said movable member movable byrotation of a second adjustment structure in a first rotationaldirection to increasingly impede relative rotation of said first clampmember and said base, and said movable member movable by rotation ofsaid second adjustment structure in a second rotational direction todecreasingly impede relative rotation of said first clamp member andsaid base, said first clamp member and said second clamp member notreadily detachable from said base, said first clamp member rotatablethrough 360 degrees with respect to said base, said first clamp memberand said second clamp member not releasable from said base by movementof said second adjustment structure.
 24. The panoramic device of claim23 further comprising a bias mechanism that biases said second clampmember away from said first clamp surface.
 25. The panoramic device ofclaim 24 wherein said bias mechanism includes at least one spring. 26.The panoramic device of claim 25 wherein said bias mechanism includes atleast two springs.
 27. The panoramic device of claim 26 wherein saidfirst adjustment structure passes through a portion of said second clampmember.
 28. The panoramic device of claim 27 further comprising a sleevesurrounding a portion of said first adjustment structure.
 29. Thepanoramic device of claim 28 further comprising a knob attached to saidfirst adjustment structure.
 30. The panoramic device of claim 23 whereinsaid first adjustment structure is in threaded engagement with saidfirst clamp member.
 31. The panoramic device of claim 23 furthercomprising a level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramicdevice.
 32. The panoramic device of claim 31 wherein said level bubbleis approximately flush with the upper surface of said panoramic device.33. The panoramic device of claim 23 wherein said second adjustmentstructure rotatably engaged with said base.